Hardness=Dryness?

[weetone]

Hi,

So, because it's so cold and dry here, my humidor has had trouble maintaining humidity, and indeed, a constant temperature. So when I looked at my smokes the other day, it seemed as though they were very hard. Is that an indicator of dryness?

[TripleF]

Good question. Unfortunately I do not know the answer, however I am hoping to read it in this post as some of the experts chime in.

[Scimmia]

In general, a cigar will get harder when it gets dry, but it being hard doesn't automatically mean that it's dry. Some cigars are just harder than others.

[DoctaJ]

Sounds like it could be a case of under humidification. A few questions though:


1. I am guessing you mean hard in relation to what you remember when you 1st got them?

2. When you smoke one, does it burn 'hot' (faster) than you are used too?

3. Also, when you smoke them, do you get any bitter spots in the smoke? This is also a sign of a dry cigar.



Sometimes over humidification can also cause hard cigars (absorb water and expand). If you have a way to get a hygrometer, this would help tell exactly what is the case. However, seeing as it is the cold dry season of winter, I doubt this is the case. I would advise to make sure your humidification unit is charged more often than usual with distilled water. Also, try to keep opening the humidor down to a minimum to keep the inside humidity stable (I know this can sometimes be hard to do :dr ).

All in all, if the cigars are still smoking well, than you don't have too much to worry about. Just keep the humidification unit charged and enjoy them smokes :ss

[PUFFNMO]

Weetone - The best way to test a cigar for dryness is to give it a light squeeze at the end (where you would light it.) If the tobacco is pliable and does not give off a crunchy sound when held to your ear, it is fine.

Over a short period of time you will develop an accurate sense of the state of the cigars using this method. Squeezing in the middle has never told me much.

Cheers, Larry.

[Cigar_man]

In general, a cigar will get harder when it gets dry, but it being hard doesn't automatically mean that it's dry. Some cigars are just harder than others.

i have to agree here...i have worked in a shop for 3 1/2 yrs and some cigars "feel hard/ dry even when i know they are at 70% and have been for months, depends on the brand. Up here in michigan we deal with the effects of long, dry winters and i often will simply move my cigars to a ziplock bag with a humipouch and strip of cedar for much of the winter. this will solve your problem easily.

[icehog3]

it being hard doesn't automatically mean that it's dry. Some cigars are just harder than others.

True, I am smoking a cigar that felt hard coming out of the humi 20 minutes ago, but it is smoking like a champ.

[Namerifrats]

Now about the part of listening for any crackling. There will be a small amount in any case right?? I've bought some from different shops and actually lightly pressed them a little next to my ear and could hear a little crackling noise, but it looked fine and sprang back when pressed in.

[weetone]

Hey, thanks for the advice guys. Yeah, they had just seemed hard from when I had tested them before. And because it's -40 here, I'm not gonna be able to smoke for a while...plus I have never smoked the sticks I have before.

[JE3146]

I was curious about this as well. Thanks for asking :tu